1. Pamir Plateau
Tajikistan is a mountainous country, with about 93% of its land covered by mountains. In the eastern part of the country lies the Pamir Plateau, which has an average elevation of over 5,000 meters. Known for its towering altitude, the Pamir Plateau is often referred to as the “Roof of the World.”This region is influenced by the Himalayan orogenic belt, a newly formed fold mountain system.
The Pamir Plateau stretches across five countries—Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China—with the majority of it lying within Tajikistan. Although the terrain is rugged and difficult to navigate, the plateau’s stunning natural landscapes make it a popular trekking destination.
Treks often begin in nomadic villages, where travelers hike toward the plateau. As the altitude increases, the trails become more gradual, allowing supplies to be loaded onto donkeys and porters to assist with the journey.
The Pamir Plateau is typically divided into lowland and highland areas, and Tajik people mainly engage in nomadic herdingat suitable altitudes, which is a distinctive way of life in this region.
The highest peak in the Pamir Plateau is Ismoil Somoni Peak, which stands at 7,495 meters. It is the tallest peak outside of the Himalayas.
2. Karakul Lake (Karakuri Lake)
Karakul Lake is located at an altitude of 3,600 meters, making it the highest lake in the Pamir Plateau.
Situated in the western part of the plateau, it is a large lake known for its vast surface area.
The lake is surrounded by three towering mountains—Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Kongur Tiube—whose peaks are covered with permanent snow throughout the year.
The combination of the expansive lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains creates a stunning natural landscape, making it one of the notable tourist destinations in Central Asia.
-> Questions
1.I'm curious about the famous trekking courses in Tajikistan, where you can enjoy the rugged, unpaved roads and experience the majestic natural landscapes. How are these tours typically organized?
2.I understand that nomadic life is practiced around the Pamir Plateau. At what altitude range is nomadic herding mainly carried out?
3.Karakul Lake, which translates to "Black Lake," is known for its name. Geologically, why does the lake appear to be black?
Spring is slowly arriving here in Korea. Let me share a little about today’s weather—right now, the temperature is around 15°C, but it feels like 21.1°C, so it’s quite pleasant.
On my way to school this morning, I came across some beautiful cherry blossoms. The buds haven’t fully bloomed yet, but their soft pink tips, just beginning to open, gave me a real sense of spring’s vitality. Even just two weeks ago, we had snowfall—it’s strange how quickly the weather has warmed up.
To be honest, getting snow in March here in Korea is a surprising event. Since March usually marks the beginning of spring, the heavy snow and strong winds we experienced this year made us really feel the impact of climate change.
Out of curiosity, I asked an AI chatbot why it snowed in Korea in March, and it led me to some interesting news reports. According to what I found:
MBC News Desk mentioned that Arctic warming weakened the jet stream, allowing cold air from the north to reach the Korean Peninsula.
The Kyunghyang Shinmun explained that this cold air, around –40°C, clashed with warm, humid southern air, causing atmospheric instability and leading to heavy snow.
MBC also reported that the cold air passed over the relatively warm Yellow Sea, absorbed moisture, and formed snow clouds that brought snowfall across the country.
This showed me that such unusual spring snowfall is not just a fluke, but a real consequence of global climate changes, particularly due to Arctic warming.
That naturally led me to become more interested in how other countries are responding to climate and environmental challenges—especially Tajikistan. I’ve learned that your country is experiencing serious deforestation.
To tackle this, I understand that various international cooperation efforts are underway. For instance, from 2019 to 2023, Korea and Tajikistan carried out an ODA (Official Development Assistance) project in regions like Kumsangir, Danghara, and Shaartuz. I read that this project included reforesting 330 hectaresof land, with the goals of preventing desertification and supporting local livelihoods. One of the most notable initiatives was the pilot pistachio reforestation.
So I wanted to ask you:
Through this ODA project, do you think the goals of preventing desertification and increasing community income were successfully achieved?And, why was pistachio chosen specifically for this reforestation effort? Was there a special reason for selecting that tree?
Thank you for reading my long message. I’ll keep in touch more often from now on. Please stay well, and thank you again always.
Hi! Very nice to meet you, everyone! I'm so happy to be here with you. My name is Cha Min Woo. I study at Haneul Academy on Yeongjong Island, where Incheon Airport is located. For this project, we are working with Tajikistan, and when I first learned about the country, I was amazed by its beautiful natural scenery! Please tell me your favorite scenery in Tajikistan. Through this project, I hope not only to learn but also to grow as a true global citizen.
